Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at the rusted, time-worn gates of the Uchiha compound, his voice carrying the weight of the passing years. "The Uchiha clan once lived in this special autonomous district... now, only the siblings, Sasuke and Kanon, remain."
Kakashi followed closely behind as the two stepped into the home of the young Uchihas.
"Fugaku Uchiha, their father, was a stern man," Hiruzen continued. "He was incredibly strict regarding his children's education."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Their older brother, Itachi, was also exceptional."
"Indeed." A flicker of memory crossed Hiruzen's eyes. "But now, the household chores are mainly handled by Kanon, with Sasuke occasionally helping out."
"Speaking of which, Itachi was once under your command." Hiruzen turned to Kakashi. "Just like their older brother, I am entrusting the younger siblings to you."
Kakashi remained silent for a moment, lowering his head with a trace of helplessness. "In truth, I didn't teach Itachi anything."
"Even with the Sharingan, his abilities far surpassed mine," Kakashi's voice grew heavy.
Hiruzen patted Kakashi on the back. "Even so, you are currently the only one in Konoha who possesses the Sharingan. We don't yet know if Sasuke or Kanon will awaken theirs. But when that time comes, you must guide those two."
Listening to Hiruzen, Kakashi's thoughts drifted back to the days he fought alongside Obito, and then to the agonizing moment his Chidori pierced Rin's heart. A wave of sorrow washed over him.
He lifted his headband over his left eye, revealing the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and spoke softly to the Third Hokage. "This eye has already been etched with too many tragedies."
"If possible, I would prefer it if the siblings never had to awaken the Sharingan," Kakashi said deeply. "But for better or worse, this eye carries the memories of my friends and comrades. It has profound significance. If repeating a tragedy is considered a betrayal of one's comrades, then we must place the highest value on cherishing them."
Kakashi spoke calmly, though his fist tightened instinctively.
"It seems your standards won't be changing this year," Hiruzen said with a faint smile.
After inspecting the homes of the four students, he and Kakashi sat down on a park bench.
"Why?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"To what are you referring?" Hiruzen asked back.
"Why put me in charge of these four?" Kakashi was puzzled.
Hiruzen took a sip of his coffee and squinted with a smile. "Indeed, a clumsy dead-last, a brilliant elite, and two intelligent kunoichi. Aside from Sakura, it's a mirror image of the old Team Minato."
Kakashi froze, looking stunned. "Could it be that you did this specifically for—"
"Kakashi... I am the Hokage," Hiruzen said solemnly. "I do not make personnel decisions based on personal feelings. However, Kanon is an exception. She shares a deep bond with Sasuke, and the Academy can no longer contain her."
"The Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu... that is an A-rank technique," Hiruzen mused. "Finding the right place for such talent was quite a headache for me, though the Academy teachers might have seen it differently. Modern shinobi operate in teams, and the squad assignments largely dictate a mission's success rate. That is why we develop specialized teams. They are the key to governing the village."
The two looked toward the children playing in the park and smiled. As Hiruzen noted, Konoha was moving toward specialized education. For instance, Team Guy, formed last year, was dedicated to Taijutsu. Kurenai Yuhi was in charge of a reconnaissance team specializing in Genjutsu and tracking, while Asuma Sarutobi led the classic Ino-Shika-Cho trio, specialized in hidden clan techniques.
Kakashi's team was the one intended to use the Uchiha Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails within Naruto if necessary. The tragedy of that night could never be allowed to happen again.
"But what about the girl named Sakura?" Kakashi asked.
"I believe she has the potential to be an excellent kunoichi," Hiruzen noted with a spark of admiration. "Currently, she is average, but... I believe in her. Because of her and Kanon, the competition within the team will drive them all to grow."
"So, Sakura's presence serves as a catalyst for the team's growth?" Kakashi summarized.
"Exactly," Hiruzen nodded.
Kakashi nodded, accepting the Third's reasoning. "I understand your intent, Lord Third. However... I've already failed twice with the squads you arranged. I'm starting to think I'm not suited to be a Jonin Leader."
Hiruzen took another sip of coffee and spoke kindly. "The shinobi world is cruel by nature; perhaps that is why. But I believe in one thing: I believe in you. That is why I entrust them to you."
"Lord Third..." Kakashi was moved.
"Come to think of it, Minato was the same." Hiruzen looked toward Minato's face on the Hokage Rock and smiled gently.
"Minato-sensei?" Kakashi blinked.
Hiruzen then shared a secret with Kakashi. In the Genin entry reports, Minato Namikaze had once written that during the bell test, Kakashi's sense of teamwork was weak. However, Minato chose to believe he could change Kakashi, just as Hiruzen now chose to believe in him.
Kakashi stood dazed. Minato-sensei had actually noticed his childish battle plans back then. Even so, he had never lost faith.
As Kakashi pondered this, Hiruzen stood up and spoke with gravity. "To trust and stand by one's disciples, that is the mark of a true mentor."
…
Early Morning.
The first light of dawn filtered into Kanon's room. She opened her bleary eyes, still heavy with sleep. Today was the day of the squad assignments, so she had gone to bed early the night before.
She glanced at the clock on the wall. "Seven o'clock..." she murmured.
In her mind, a voice identical to her own spoke: [Kanon, today is the Genin orientation. You haven't forgotten, have you?]
"Konin, are there any training tasks for today?" Kanon asked.
[No. You are a Genin now. We can train in the afternoon if there's time,] Konin replied.
With that, Konin went silent. Kanon nodded slightly and sat at her vanity. She brushed her lustrous black hair and tied her forehead protector across her brow like a headband.
"Hmm, looks perfect." Kanon smiled at the mirror, tilting her head from side to side. She was quite satisfied with her new look.
While she was admiring her delicate features, a knock came from her door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Kanon, are you ready?"
"Yeah, nii-chan. I'm almost done."
Sasuke pushed the door open, and the sight before him made him freeze. Kanon was dressed in her blue Uchiha coat, her smooth black hair swaying slightly as she moved. In that moment, even the normally stoic Sasuke had to admit his sister was incredibly beautiful and cute.
"Nii-chan, let's go!" Kanon's voice was full of anticipation and excitement.
"Yeah. Let's head to the Academy for orientation," Sasuke replied, his voice tinged with a hint of doting pride.
The two stepped out of the house together, setting off on the road to the Academy.